The 88th Academy Awards saw a variety of looks on the red carpet this Sunday. The ORANGE Style staff had plenty to say, as they live-tweeted the event at home in their sweats and pajamas. While there’s no denying that Leonardo DiCaprio won the entire night, the staff shared their picks for the show’s best and worst dressed.
Estephanie Gomez:
Best: Saoirse Ronan in Calvin Klein
A handful of women rocked green on the red carpet; it was a toss-up between Ronan and Rachel McAdams’s emerald ensemble. Ronan rocked her gorgeous emerald Calvin Klein dress with mismatched earrings and a sophisticated makeup look that stunned everyone. I was floored.
Worst: Daisy Ridley in Chanel
The dress’s dull color only made the matronly fit and style worse. Ridley could have redeemed her look by letting her hair down or by going for a more elegant and intricate up-do. It pains me to see someone who usually wows on the red carpet show up with a such a lackluster look.
Jenna Meltzer
Best: Priyanka Chopra in Zuhair Murad
I have always been a firm believer that everything looks better in white. White represents elegance, and this is exactly how Priyanka Chopra was portrayed in this stunning strapless Zuhair Murad sheer gown. Paired with her simple updo, Chopra downplayed this showstopping outfit with pure grace.
Worst: Kerry Washington in Versace
The “Scandal” actress unfortunately did not blow me away on the red carpet this year. While she may have been trying to go for a more edgy look, her black-and-white leathered Versace ensemble was a little too aggressive for her flashy jewelry and elaborate up-do. If she were to have worn her hair down, and paired the gown with simple studded earrings, the outfit could have looked more cohesive. There’s always next year, Kerry!
Sydney Mahl
Best: Charlize Theron in Dior
Usually I’m not a fan of red on the red carpet. It’s like a meteorologist wearing a green dress — too cliché. But Charlize Theron made it work and managed to stand out in, well, a sea of red.
Worst: Heidi Klum in Versace
If this look were paraded in front of Klum on Project Runway, she’d liken it to a mummified sugar plum fairy, then kiss the designer on the cheek and say, “Auf wiedersehen.” Which is exactly what I’m saying to her fashion taste.
Ethan Elkins
Best: Saoirse Ronan in Calvin Klein
(pictured above)
Emerald was the color of the night on the carpet! Ronan turned heads with her incredibly radiant gown that was traditional from the front, yet scandalous with a perfectly plunging and revealing back. Her emerald earrings complemented her dress nicely and were beautifully accompanied by her eye shadow of the same color.
Worst: Heidi Klum in Atelier Versace
(pictured above)
This gown was a beautiful pastel color, but that was all it had going for it. The one sleeve was a nightmare, and the three flowers of the same color looked incredibly tacky. Versace appears to have tainted this gown with inspiration from Shakespeare’s notorious A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Itohan Osagie
Best: Rachel McAdams in August Getty Atelier
Emerald green was definitely the color of the night, and McAdams shined in August Getty Atelier. Her makeup and jewelry were minimal yet glamorous, placing her at the top of my Oscar’s best-dressed list.
Worst: Brie Larson in Gucci
Not necessarily a bad dress, but in comparison to the other gowns on the red carpet, Larson’s royal blue Gucci dress was just subpar. While the embellishment on the dress made a statement, the rest was a sea of ruffles.
Rachana Jadala
Best: Priyanka Chopra in Zuhair Murad
(pictured above)
Priyanka Chopra was stunning! I loved the white Zuhair Murad on her skin tone, and the sheer, lacy look was feminine and classic. The sweetheart neckline and her hair pulled back really emphasized her face and clavicle. Makeup was on point, and the bold lip pulled the whole look together.
Worst: Amy Poehler in Andrew GN
Not feeling the Andrew GN on Amy Poehler. The fit is not flattering, and I am not a fan of the print. With the cape, the look is a little overwhelming.
Nikki Amber
Best: Cate Blanchett in Armani
Cate took a bold step with this dress, and I think it really worked. The mint color is absolutely stunning and it’s flower-details could have been over the top, but Cate pulls it off beautifully.
Worst: Jennifer Lawrence in Dior
Usually, I think Jennifer rocks the Oscars red carpet, but this year her dress actually seemed to wash her out. I wish she had done something bolder with the makeup to make this look really pop.
Jasmine Valencia
Best: Rooney Mara in Givenchy
This gorgeous white detailed gown is elegant and slightly edgy. One would think the mix of lace, embroidery, cutouts, and button detailing would be overbearing but this gown orchestrated them together perfectly.
Worst: Kate Winslet in Ralph Lauren
Usually I’m a big fan of Kate Winslet’s dresses on red carpets, but this black silk dress made her appear shapeless and did her no justice. This dress can be compared to a trash bag material.
Natalie Heineman
Best: Mindy Kaling in Elizabeth Kennedy
Mindy Kaling’s outfits typically match her personality — bright, flashy and full of color. This year, Kaling selected muted blue and black tones. Her elegant black gown showed off her beautiful curves, while the blue bow across her back added that pop of charm she is famous for.
Worst: Emily Blunt in Prada
I adore Emily Blunt, but I do not adore this dress. The dress feels extremely dated. It looks like something I would have worn to my sister’s First Communion in 2004. The boxy style of the neckline and the empire waist feels more at home in the early 2000’s (when Leo should have won his first Oscar), rather than 2016. Blunt looks radiant in shades of pink, but even the color cannot save the shape of this dress.
Hannah Shih
Best: Cate Blanchett in Armani
(pictured above)
Cate Blanchett stuns in a soft, seafoam Armani mermaid dress, proving once again that she is the red carpet queen. The feathered gown shows just the right amount of skin, and the color and cut are unique and flattering enough to make her stand out on Hollywood’s most glamorous night.
Worst: Lily Cole in Vivienne Westwood
While I can admire the concept behind the sustainable project Red Carpet Green Dress, Lily Cole’s silver Vivienne Westwood gown made entirely from recycled plastic bottles is a sartorial disappointment. The uneven hemline and creased draping just didn’t make sense to me, though the pale silver shade complimented Cole’s beautiful skin.